Emerging not as a static composition but as a living, evolving confession, the Apostles’ Creed underwent centuries of organic growth, shaped by the spiritual, theological, and ecclesial needs of the Church. By comparing its earlier and later forms alongside antecedent rules of faith and the Nicene Creed, we trace the steady refinement of Christian doctrine into the familiar language that continues to resonate in the hearts of believers across the ages. These comparative tables reveal how the Creed gradually absorbed layers of theological clarity while remaining anchored in the apostolic core of the Christian faith.
The Growth of the Apostles’ Creed: A Comparative Table
To illuminate the historical development of the Apostles’ Creed, the following table outlines its stages from earlier regional formulas to the standardized form received in the West by the sixth or seventh century. The additions, which reflect both theological developments and liturgical refinements, are shown in brackets.
| Received Text | Formula Marcelli (c. 340) | Roman Formula (3rd–4th c.) | Formula Aquileiensis (Rufinus, 400) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I believe in God the Father Almighty, [Maker of heaven and earth] |
Πιστεύω εἰς θεὸν παντακράτορα | Credo in Deum Patrem omnipotentem | Credo in Deo Patre omnipotente, [invisibili et impassibili] |
| And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord | Καὶ εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν, τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν μονογενῆ, τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν | Et in Christum Jesum, Filium ejus unicum, Dominum nostrum | Et in Christo Jesu, unico filio ejus, Domino nostro |
| [who was conceived] by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary | τὸν γεννηθέντα ἐκ Πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ Μαρίας τῆς παρθένου | qui natus est de Spiritu Sancto et Maria Virgine | qui natus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine |
| [suffered] under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, [dead], and buried | τὸν ἐπὶ Ποντίου Πιλάτου σταυρωθέντα καὶ ταφέντα | crucifixus est sub Pontio Pilato, et sepultus | passus sub Pontio Pilato, crucifixus, [mortuus], et sepultus |
| [He descended into Hades] | – | [descendit ad inferna] | [descendit ad inferna] |
| the third day He rose from the dead | τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἀναστάντα ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν | tertia die resurrexit a mortuis | tertia die resurrexit a mortuis |
| He ascended into heaven | ἀναβάντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανοὺς | ascendit in coelos | ascendit in coelos |
| and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father [Almighty] | καὶ καθήμενον ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ πατρὸς | sedet ad dexteram Patris | sedet ad dexteram Patris [omnipotentis] |
| from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead | ὅθεν ἔρχεται κρίνειν ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς | inde venturus judicare vivos et mortuos | inde venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos |
| [I believe] in the Holy Ghost | Καὶ εἰς Ἅγιον Πνεῦμα | Et in Spiritum Sanctum | Et in Spiritu Sancto |
| the holy [catholic] church, [the communion of saints] | ἁγίαν ἐκκλησίαν | Sanctam Ecclesiam | Sanctam Ecclesiam [catholicam], [Sanctorum communionem] |
| the forgiveness of sins | ἀφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν | remissionem peccatorum | remissionem peccatorum |
| the resurrection of the body; [and the life everlasting. Amen] | σαρκὸς ἀνάστασιν, ζωὴν αἰώνιον | carnis resurrectionem | carnis resurrectionem; [vitam aeternam. Amen] |
The Rule of Faith in Ante-Nicene Writers
The following comparative overview draws connections between the Apostles’ Creed and earlier expressions of the Christian faith found in the writings of early Church Fathers from East and West. Though these confessions vary in phrasing and theological scope, they reveal remarkable unity in substance, highlighting the shared framework of belief even before the creeds were formally codified.
| Creed Article | Irenaeus (c. 170) |
Tertullian (c. 200) |
Cyprian (c. 250) |
Origen (c. 230) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| God the Father Almighty | …in one God the Father Almighty, Creator of all things | …in one God, the Creator of the world | in God the Father | One God, who created and framed everything… |
| Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord | …in one Christ Jesus, the Son of God | …in the Word, his Son, Jesus Christ | in his Son Christ | Jesus Christ…born of the Father before all creation… |
| Born of the Virgin Mary | Who became flesh [of the Virgin] for our salvation | …descended into the Virgin Mary, made flesh in her womb… | born of the Virgin and the Holy Ghost | – |
| Crucified under Pontius Pilate | …his suffering under Pontius Pilate | …fixed on the cross under Pilate, dead and buried | suffered in truth, died | – |
| Resurrection and Ascension | …his rising from the dead…bodily assumption into heaven | …rose the third day…sits at the right hand of God | was taken up… | – |
| Judgment of the living and the dead | …coming from heaven to execute judgment | will come to judge | – | – |
| The Holy Ghost | …in the Holy Ghost | …in the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete… | in the Holy Ghost | …the Holy Ghost…equal in honor with the Father and Son |
| Forgiveness of sins and eternal life | – | – | eternal life through the Church | – |
The Creedal Legacy of the Church
The Apostles’ Creed, in all its evolving stages, stands not as a monument of theological rigidity, but as the fruit of a living tradition—refined through time, debate, devotion, and liturgical repetition. As this side-by-side comparison reveals, what began as localized confessions became a unified witness to the triune God and the saving work of Christ. The Creed speaks with the voice of the whole Church, across centuries and continents. Its simplicity is its strength; its endurance, a testimony to the unbroken faith of Christendom.
